New and Improved 12th Annual HD Awards

When January rolls around at HD HQ, we shift into high gear. Like most people, the beginning of the year brings a lot of excitement and a few resolutions, but, for us, it means the start of our HD Awards season. (Indeed, we are now accepting project and product entries for our 12th annual awards; deadline is March 1st.)

It is easily one of our favorite events and for obvious reasons. We are lucky enough to get to look at projects and products year-round, wondering which ones will grace our pages come June when we honor the winners and finalists in our awards issue (and on stage when we fete them in a ceremony in New York—this year on June 8th). But it’s also a chance for us to honor the firms and companies who are changing the landscape of design, whether it’s designing a new lobby concept or creating a one-of-a-kind chair.

Toto’s Helix M EcoPower faucet

But what’s all the pomp and circumstance without a few updates? Last year, as you know, we introduced product categories to the awards. It was exciting and new, and very eye-opening. With more than 340 entrants, some of the most innovative, technically advanced, and aesthetically pleasing products earned their stripes in the inaugural event, including Toto’s Helix M ExoPower, which won Best in Show last year.

And this year is no different.

In response to last year’s breadth of submissions (including a record-breaking 560 projects), we’ve added Technology and Sustainability categories for products; and, with our editorial board’s advice, separated out the hotel categories to Luxury/Upscale, Midscale, Economy, and Lifestyle.

We’ve also made tweaks to the machine. For the first time, all project and product entries will be submitted online. We have been tirelessly working and tinkering away to make the process as streamlined as possible, and we know this will make things that much easier on you when it comes time to show off your property or product.

We can’t wait to see what you submit this year. Stay tuned for our upcoming announcement about the esteemed industry professionals who will make up our judging panels.